The Support for Research Excellence First Independent Research (SuRE-First) Award (PAR-24-145) is a grant opportunity from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) designed to foster research capacity at eligible higher education institutions. This grant targets faculty investigators who have not previously secured an independent external research grant, aiming to support their transition to becoming independent researchers. The SuRE-First program seeks to build research capabilities by funding investigator-initiated studies in areas aligned with the NIH’s mission, including biomedical, behavioral, social, clinical, and translational sciences. Additionally, the program aims to provide students with quality research experiences and to strengthen the scientific research culture at participating institutions.

Eligible applicants for this award include public and private institutions of higher education that serve diverse student populations, such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs), Hispanic-serving institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs). Institutions that primarily focus on teaching and have a history of limited NIH research funding are encouraged to apply, making this grant an important tool for increasing research diversity and inclusiveness. Foreign organizations and non-domestic components of U.S. institutions are not eligible.

The grant offers up to $125,000 in direct costs per year for up to four years, allowing faculty members to establish their research programs and contribute to their institutions' academic and research environments. The SuRE-First award does not support clinical trials, which means proposed research projects should not involve any interventional studies with human subjects. Instead, the focus should be on other forms of research, such as laboratory-based studies, secondary data analysis, or observational research that align with NIH's broad research domains, which include areas like cancer research, mental health, aging, environmental health, and infectious diseases.

The overarching goal is to increase the research competitiveness of institutions and faculty members who may face barriers to securing traditional research grants. By supporting new investigators, the SuRE-First program seeks to build a foundation for future grant applications, thereby promoting sustained research activity and funding success at institutions that serve underrepresented groups in science.

Applications will be accepted until January 7, 2027, allowing eligible faculty members sufficient time to develop robust research proposals. The program's emphasis on early-career researchers and underfunded institutions aims to cultivate new research talent and broaden the scope of NIH-supported research. Prospective applicants are encouraged to align their proposed research with NIH’s various programmatic areas to ensure relevance and strengthen their submission.

Further details on eligibility, application instructions, and program priorities can be accessed through the NIH grants website provided in the announcement. For additional support, applicants can reach out to NIH grants information services.